The Washington critic., 1887-09-23
MISS POTTER'S PET.

The guards always kept an eye on
Glover, and when he was chained at
night his irons were always carefully
examined.
Red Glover was not a murderer. He
was burglar, and his daring exploits
had made his name famous throughout
several States. The judge who had
sentenced him held to the old fashioned
idea that burglar would not stop at
murder when human life stood be.
tween him and his booty or his safety,
and for this reason he had given him
long term, some fifteen years or so, In
the chain gang.
1t was not unusual for the white con-
,icts TO break down and die, but the
victims were almost invariably the best
men In the camp The consciousness
of their disgrace depressed them, and
when they were sick they made no cf.
fort to get well. They died not be-
cause they were overworked or Ill
treated, but simply because they did
not wish to live.
With Red Glover 1t was different.
He had no sense of shame. He grew
strong and plump on his coarse fare,
and went through his daily task without
fatigue. The rascal had his fun, too.
He chafred the other convicts, and
swore at the guards, until they gave
up all hope Of reforming him through
punishment of gentler methods.
The first visit of Miss Potter to the
camp was genuine sensation. Miss
Potter was an estlmable maiden lady
on the shady side of forty. She was
mer'ber of half dozen benevolent
and reform associations, and had taken
1t into her head that it was her duty to
devote herself 10 missionary work In
the convict camps.
When Miss Potter visited the camp
one Sunday and made little talk In
quavering voice, the rough men there
were inclined to laugh at the fragile
woman who looked at them so mildly
through her spectacles and gave them
good advice and sCriptural quotations
at the rate of about two hundred words
minute.
go 1t. ole gal I" shouted one of the
men, after the speaker had finished an
affecting exhortation.
Whack
1t was slap from Red Glover's big
right hand, and the impudent dlsturber
of the meeting held his head down in
the services.
Miss Potter's eyes snapped when she
was interrupted, and then she gave Red
Glover grateful glance.
But 1t was during the singing of the
Gospel hymns that Glover showed him.
self at his best. He had magnificent
voice, and as he stood there making
the valley ring with the melody of his
song, his athletic figure and bronzcd
face with its strong, massive features
attracted every eye.
"Who Is that manf" Miss Potter
asked one Of the guards.
''Red Glover, ma a'am."
sis he a very wicked MANI"
"You bet he is, ma'am-the worst
burglar In the country"
Miss Potter shivered. She had
hoped that he was forger, or swim
dler or something else that was gentle.
manly.
"Did he ever kill anybody" she
whispered.
"Well, 1t was never proved agin
him." said the guard, judicially, "but
we have our doubts There is nothing
too bad for him, ma am"
Miss Potter went sadly away, prom.
Using to return on the following Sun.
day.
'How did you like it, Red9" asked a
guard, jocularly.
"She's good woman" replied
Glover, "and l won't see her insulted.
That's ALL"
This speech was greeted with roars
of laughter, but Red Glover's conduct
was talked over among the officials of
the camp. The prisoners called him
Miss Potter's Pet.
All that week the burglar went about
his work In a quiet way, altogether
different from his usual manner. He
was respectful to the guards, and had
very little to say to his associates.
Miss Potter made 1t her business tc
get acquainted. with some of the pris
oneIs on her next visit.
"That man, Red Glover. surprised
me-" she said to the superintendent
"Do you know, he told me that bad as
sociations and whisky had ruined him
and that he regards his confinement n
new leaf when he gets his freedom"
"Um p said the superintendent
"Red will be about fifty years old wher
he leaves here, II he serves out hi
term. But don't mind his talk, Mis-
Potter; the fellow never was drunk IL
his life, and his bad associates wert
hunted up by him. He'll say anything
you know,
"Oh, can't think that" protested
Miss Potter. IF am any judge o
human nature, he is really in earnes
about doing better"
$50 you are working the sneal
racket?'' said the superintendent Il
Glover that night, as the convict passet
him on his way 10 the quarters.
81 deserve your bad opinion" wa
the calm reply, "but If live inten,
to show you that am achanged man.
"Bosh - shouted the disgusted Oil
cial, "Move on"
The newspapers took up Miss Pot
ter's work at the camp, and 1t becam
the custom for the reporters and va
Iious ladies and gentlemen intereste
In reform work to attend her meetings
Once the Governor was spectator. Ii
made short speech and gave the mis-
sionary hearty Endorsement.
The most remarkable revival tina
had ever been known struck Centre
Hundreds of people were converted
The religious spirit invaded the camp
and scores of convic,s professed con
version. Among the converts was Re
Glover
When Glover was Informed that Mis-
Potter was endeayuring to secure hi
puTdon. he shook his head.
~ have no right to hope for 1t, h
said, humbly. "My punishment
Just, and while know that | am n ran
somed sinner, others do not know II
My kind friends should leave me to bea
my burden to the end
Red Glover even in his striped clothe
had an imposing appearance. Ill
ynipp Ind n nplanpholy tnnn that nj